New modelling shows COVID-19 hospitalisations are likely to peak in late August at around 1,660 patients, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has revealed in parliament.
The news comes as the state recorded a new record-high in hospitalisations today, with 1,123 people being treated for the virus in hospitals, 31 people in intensive care, and 21 deaths recorded in the latest reporting period.
Queensland Health confirmed late on Tuesday, a 23-month-old child died from COVID-19 at the Queensland Children's Hospital on Sunday.
The department said it would not release further details at this stage, citing patient confidentiality.
Queensland has recorded 8,612 new cases of COVID-19, taking the number of active cases to 66,569.
It was only a week ago hospitalisations exceeded the 1,000 mark for the first time.
Ms Palaszczuk said intensive care numbers were not predicted to rise with hospitalisations.
Another 47 people are being treated in hospital for influenza.
Ms Palaszczuk said masks and boosters were vital as the state experienced its worst COVID-19 wave to date.
"Where you can't feel that you can, socially distance.
"It is very, very important that people get that booster. The biggest impact COVID is having is on our seniors and seniors in our community."
The Premier said in a tweet, the health system would be ready for the sharp increase in COVID-19 patients.
"Hard work is underway to ensure our health system is ready for what's ahead," she wrote.
"Preparations include bringing extra beds online and scaling up our QAS coordination hub.
"We're moving more health staff to the frontline and using virtual care models to reduce pressure on EDs (emergency departments).
"When we are faced with the worst, Queenslanders always step up. It's time to come together again and fight: get vaccinated, use a mask in crowds and indoors, and stay home if you're sick. Thanks for looking after each other, Queensland."
Ms Palaszczuk, Acting Health Minister Steven Miles and Acting Chief Health Officer Peter Aitken were not available to answer questions on the latest modelling today.
AMA says patient care will suffer
Australian Medical Association Queensland President Dr Maria Boulton said should the modelling prove true, many hospital patients may receive sub-standard care.
"So yes, it may well put patients at risk depending on what the capacity of the hospital is to cope.
"We know that already emergency physicians and emergency doctors are doing what they can with the lack of resources that they have but they're feeling very, very strained and they're feeling that there will come a time where they may not be able to offer the time to every patient that the patient deserves."
Dr Boulton said rising COVID-19 hospitalisations have a ripple effect across an already stretched health system.
"If you have a fractured leg, if you have a heart attack, if you have a stroke, you are now faced with a very, very busy emergency department, so it affects us all."
Dr Boulton, a Brisbane-based GP, said there had been a level of complacency from government authorities, health officials and members of the public.
"I'm disappointed that more wasn't done to plan for this at a hospital level," she said.
"I'm more disappointed that more wasn't done to support general practice in this fight.
"But I'm also disappointed when I go to the shops and I see people not wearing masks and not staying home when they're sick.
"If people had the opportunity to go into an emergency department and see what it's really like in an emergency department, you would be putting a mask on."
Dr Boulton urged the state government to do more to support health workers.
"We need some decisive action and certainly we're calling on the Health Minister and the Department of Health to have a sit down with us," she said.
"We need to have a chat about the workforce, we know that our workforce is under incredible strain."
